Page 29 - ARUBA TODAY

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PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 19 august 2019

Drew Holcomb holds on to sincerity on 'Dragons'

By RAGAN CLARK Pan reference). Similarly,
Associated Press while the sentiment is sweet
Drew Holcomb and the in "Make It Look So Easy,"
Neighbors, "Dragons" (Thirty it sounds like a song that's
Tigers) been written too many
Drew Holcomb has slotted times already.
himself as the dad next Holcomb shines the bright-
door type, one who writes est on songs that combine
love songs to his children his Nashville blues and
and wife and who takes country roots with vulner-
an unassuming stance on able lyrics such as the title
the world around him. It's track and "You Never Leave
an identity that suits him My Heart." They both tap
and one that he continues into the storytelling tradition
to embrace on his band's of folk music with "Dragons"
newest album, "Dragons." giving a redemptive cho-
While most of the album's rus in which his grandfather
tracks are in the same vein encourages him to "take a
as Holcomb and the Neigh- few chances/a few worthy
bors' previous work, the romances/go swimming in
songs "Family" and "End of the ocean on New Year's
the World" are a departure Day." ''You Never Leave My
as they blend the band's Heart" gives a retrospective
typical Americana sound In this May 14, 2016 file photo, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors perform at the Shaky Knees look at memories surround-
with pop influences. music festival in Atlanta. ing the death of Holcomb's
It especially works in "End Associated Press brother.
of the World," a song that the world's current state of cerity is what has attract- tures his wife Ellie, is a song "Dragons" is an honest al-
is surprisingly upbeat de- affairs. The carefree nature ed much of his fan base, about the excitement of bum and one that gives a
spite its title. Holcomb is of a song is a welcome es- the line he treads is a fine seeing the world through window into the life of this
tongue-in-cheek as he en- cape from reality. one. While heartfelt, there his child's eyes. It has touch- dad next door— a Nashville
courages people to let go The rest of the album ad- are times his songs border ing moments, but there are family man who acknowl-
and "smoke 'em if you got heres to Holcomb's usual cheesy in their earnestness. lines that come across as edges both the silver-linings
'em," rather than dwell in sincerity. And while this sin- "See the World," which fea- cliché (such as his Peter and complexities of life.q